Clinical Middlesbrough struck early and late to spoil David Wagner 's first home match as Huddersfield Town head coach and leave his side in the Championship drop zone.
To rub salt into home fans' wounds, it was former Town midfielder A dam Clayton who set his side on the way to their sixth win in seven games in all competitions.
Emilio Nsue poached a well-taken goal to end hopes of a Town fightback and condemn the home team to a fifth defeat in six matches.
Town were bright in the first half, but were well contained in the second as they again struggled to turn possession into goals.
First Half
Town began brightly but were stung by Boro's ninth-minute opener.
Old boy Adam Clayton grabbed his first goal for the Teessiders with the help of a big deflection which wrongfooted keeper Jed Steer after a corner was only partially cleared, allowing the midfielder to drive into the area.
With head coach David Wagner urging his players on in the rain from the technical area, Town pushed hard to find a way back in.
When Albert Adomah fouled Jamie Paterson just outside the penalty box, Nahki Wells bent the free-kick against the bar.
Then Wells was denied by keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos after being put through by Sean Scannell.
The Greek stopper thwarted Scannell's close-range flick from a cross by impressive debutant Ben Chilwell.
Second Half
Town found it tougher going, with Middlesbrough closing ranks to contain home attacks.That meant genuine chances at either end if the pitch were scarce.
The visitors made a double change just after the hour, with top scorer Christian Stuani replacing Albert Adomah and Adam Forshaw on for Diego Fabbrini.
Town's first change came after 67 minutes, when Kyle Dempsey came on for Sean Scannell, allowing Joe Lolley to move to the right.
Then Duane Holmes replaced Jamie Paterson as David Wagner sought to revitalise his attack.
Flo Bojaj came on for Lolley in Town's final change but it was the visitors who struck through right-back Emilio Nsue, who curled an 84th-minute effort past keeper Steer after being set up by David Nugent.
In Wagner's words
David Wagner said: "The result was ridiculous and disappointing, but we took another step in the right direction.
"I was very pleased how we played the game, especially in the first half. I am sure this team will have a good future.
"We will keep going our way, we will get fitter and we will get better results. I am very sure we will have a good future.
"They took their chances better than we did, but we were more active with and without the ball, and that is why I am proud of my team.
"The squad are working unbelievably hard. Heads are up in the dressing room because they all know we are going the right way.
"It was nice to feel the crowd were behind us and to get something back for our work. I am pleased our supporters were able to split the result from the performance."
Key Match stat
Huddersfield - Boro possession
Opta
